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Help Us Fight against All Lawfare

The issue transcends Trump.




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We Need to Fix Voting in America Now

If Frenchmen can do it, Americans can.  




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Trumping Inflation?

The commentariat exaggerates the risks of a Trump-induced inflation.




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Tax Reform Requires Stability in the House GOP

Republicans do not have the luxury of wasting all their political capital on a damaging internal family feud that would drag on for weeks or months.




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Make FLOTUS Great Again

Normalize Melania.




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What Trump Should Do If the Dockworkers Go Back on Strike

He should be prepared to stand up to an arrogant union that he’s previously supported, just as Reagan did.




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Pensioners wary as federal dental plan switches to Canada Life

Sixteen months after Canada Life took over the administration of the Public Service Health Care Plan, hundreds of thousands of federal retirees are hoping to avoid similar problems now that their dental plan is under the same provider.



  • News/Canada/Ottawa

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Canada's digital services tax set for a reckoning with U.S.

The fight over Canada's controversial digital services tax may escalate this week, as a deadline looms for the Biden administration to decide whether to proceed with dispute arbitration under the revised North American trade deal amid retaliation threats from Donald Trump's next administration.




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After a brief retreat, politicians are again clamouring for the notwithstanding clause

When Ontario Premier Doug Ford was compelled to abandon his attempt to use the notwithstanding clause to end a labour dispute in 2022, it was possible to believe the tide had turned against the Charter’s escape clause. But the political temptation to override legal rights is apparently still strong.




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Researchers urge federal government to halt macaque imports to Quebec for medical research

Dozens of researchers across Canada have joined a growing chorus of voices urging the federal government to halt the importation of an endangered monkey species for medical research in Quebec.



  • News/Canada/Montreal

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Trump's appointees have criticized Trudeau, warned of border issues with Canada

Donald Trump's second administration is filling up with some of his most loyal supporters and many of the people landing top jobs have been critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and security at Canada's border.




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Trudeau flying in and out of Bermuda Wednesday to deliver eulogy for Peter Green

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is flying in and out of Bermuda on Wednesday, where he will deliver a eulogy at the funeral for Peter Green, a close family friend.




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Deputy PM Freeland says she shares American trade concerns about Mexico, China

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says she shares Washington's concerns about whether Mexico is "aligned" with Canada and the U.S. on trade policy — specifically when it comes to China.




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23andMe lays off 40% of its workforce, ends therapeutics division

23andMe is laying off 40 per cent of its workforce, or more than 200 employees, and discontinuing its therapeutics division as the struggling genetic testing company attempts to slash costs.




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New docuseries examines 2010 murder of Laura Letts Beckett near Revelstoke, B.C.

Peter Beckett was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2017, but his conviction was overturned in 2020.



  • News/Canada/British Columbia

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Federal government departments have green light to advertise on TikTok — despite security concerns

Federal government departments are still allowed to advertise on TikTok despite mounting security concerns about the social media app, CBC News has learned. 




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Bluesky gains more than 1.25 million followers since U.S. election

Social media platform Bluesky, a major competitor to Elon Musk’s X, has gained more than 1.25 million users since last week's U.S. presidential election. Bluesky posted Wednesday morning it had reached more than 15 million users, up from nine million in September.




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Niigaan Sinclair, Jordan Abel among winners of Governor General's Literary Awards

When Niigaan Sinclair pitched his collection of articles to a Toronto publisher, he was told Winipek: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre was a "regional book."



  • News/Canada/Manitoba

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Emilia Pérez hit Netflix today. Read our original review on the 'musical mess'

The new musical starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez is a convoluted misfire.




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Where Can Self-Insured Employers Look to Find Healthcare Savings?

Are you a self-insured employer looking for ways to reduce healthcare spend? Join us for a webinar on December 11 in which HR executives will share their insights.

The post Where Can Self-Insured Employers Look to Find Healthcare Savings? appeared first on MedCity News.




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Trump, RFK Jr., and the Healthcare Bombshell No One Sees Coming

The convergence of Trump’s political capital, Kennedy’s agricultural vision, and existing technological capabilities creates an unprecedented opportunity to restructure America’s approach to health and disease prevention.

The post Trump, RFK Jr., and the Healthcare Bombshell No One Sees Coming appeared first on MedCity News.




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The Rapid Growth of GLP-1s and Their Impact on Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is still the gold standard for morbid obesity treatment, yet patients and medical professionals will likely seek less invasive weight loss drugs before considering bariatric surgery. 

The post The Rapid Growth of GLP-1s and Their Impact on Bariatric Surgery appeared first on MedCity News.




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Johnson & Johnson Takes the 340B Drug Rebate Fight to Federal Court

Johnson & Johnson is suing the federal agencies overseeing the 340B program that makes discounted medicines more accessible to uninsured and underserved patients. J&J contends the Health Resources Services Administration can’t legally oppose its plan to implement a new rebate plan for certain 340B drugs.

The post Johnson & Johnson Takes the 340B Drug Rebate Fight to Federal Court appeared first on MedCity News.




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How One Optum Exec Is Handling the Influx of Digital Mental Health Solutions

There has been a surge in digital mental health solutions, making it difficult to know which ones are effective. One Optum exec weighed in on how she’s managing this challenge.

The post How One Optum Exec Is Handling the Influx of Digital Mental Health Solutions appeared first on MedCity News.




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DCGI calls for meeting with stakeholders of cosmetics industry to discuss issues

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) will be meeting the stakeholders in the cosmetics industry in the country to discuss the issues relating to the regulatory provisions of the cosmetics sector.




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MoA working closely with WHO to develop IHP to set global efficacy standards for Ayush products: Ayush secretary

The Union Ministry of Ayush (MoA) is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop an International Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) to set global quality and efficacy standards for




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UDF proposes need for a centralized drug regulatory cadre, regulatory body in India to bolster patient safety

The need for a strong, centralized regulatory structure for India's pharmaceutical industry has taken center stage, with experts calling for the establishment of a Central Drug Regulatory Cadre and a Central Drug




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Pharmacy college job fairs propel rapport between academia and industry to create capable workforce

Pharmacy college job fairs play a critical role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. The fair provides a platform for pharmaceutical companies to communicate their hiring needs directly to students. This




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Demand for packaging with anti-counterfeit features is growing

Packaging specialist at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK Ashlee Gough examines the latest techniques being deployed to counteract these infringements and different methods to safeguard product and named-brand integrity.




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Insects Played Pivotal Roles in the Evolution of Human Culture

Violins, the ink on the Declaration of Independence and other ways that insects shaped human history




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The U.S. Must Lead the Global Fight against Superbugs

Antimicrobial resistance could claim 39 million lives by 2050, yet the pipeline for new antibiotics is drying up. U.S. policy makers can help fix it




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How to Overcome Solastalgia, the Feeling of Profound Loss of Your Environment

Damage to your environment can bring a profound sense of loss; that feeling, called solastalgia, can also provide inspiration




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Kristi Noem, Trump’s Nominee for Leader of the Department of Homeland Security, Has Rejected Climate Science

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security and its disaster agency has said people aren’t driving temperature increases and declined to accept federal climate money for disaster preparedness as governor of South Dakota




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What happens when a vaccine skeptic leads health policy? Ask Florida

Among the names being floated to head the Department of Health and Human Services are RFK Jr. and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. Both are vaccine skeptics, which worries pediatricians.




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Pakistan's smog is visible from space. This activist is 'frustrated' but won't give up

The government in Lahore has closed schools and public spaces and shut down factories. Environmental lawyer Ahmad Rafay Alam shares his perspective: "frustrated" but still fighting.




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Trump's team drawing up list of Pentagon officers to fire: Sources

WASHINGTON — Members of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team are drawing up a list of military officers to be fired, potentially to include the Joint Chiefs of Staff, two sources said, in what would be an unprecedented shakeup at the Pentagon. The planning for the firings is at an early stage after Trump's Nov 5 election victory and could change as Trump's administration takes shape, said the sources, who are familiar with the Trump transition and requested anonymity to speak candidly about the plans. One of the sources questioned the feasibility of a mass firing at the Pentagon. It was also unclear if Trump himself would endorse the plan, although in the past he has railed extensively against defence leaders who have criticised him. Trump has also spoken during the campaign of firing "woke" generals and those responsible for the troubled 2021 pullout from Afghanistan. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment.




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Tesla recalls 2,400 Cybertrucks, 6th callback for the pickups in 2024

WASHINGTON — Tesla said on Wednesday (Nov 13) it was recalling 2,400 Cybertruck pickups in the US because a faulty part could lead to a loss of power and increase the risk of a crash, in its sixth callback of Cybertrucks this year. A fault in the driver inverter in Cybertrucks manufactured through July 30 could cause the vehicle to stop producing torque when the driver uses the accelerator pedal, resulting in a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash, Tesla said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tesla will replace the recalled drive inverter with one equipped with a functioning component. The automaker said it was aware of five warranty claims tied to the issue but knew of no crashes or injuries. Beginning around Dec 9, Tesla will replace the recalled drive inverter with a new component. Tesla said it has been using the updated component in production since July 30. Last month, the EV maker said it was recalling more than 27,000 Cybertrucks due to delayed rear-view camera images that could impair driver visibility and increase crash risks.




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Trump taps loyalists with few qualifications for top jobs

US President-elect Donald Trump chose loyalists with little experience for several key cabinet positions on Wednesday (Nov 13), stunning some allies and making clear that he is serious about reshaping — and in some cases testing — America's institutions. Trump's choice of congressman Matt Gaetz, 42, for US attorney general, America's top law enforcement officer, was a surprising pick. The former attorney has never worked in the Justice Department, or as a prosecutor, and was investigated by the Justice Department over sex trafficking allegations. His office said in 2023 that he had been told by prosecutors he would not face criminal charges. Trump tapped Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. The former Democratic congresswoman-turned-Trump-ally has in the past spoken out against military intervention in the civil war in Syria under former President Barack Obama and implied that Russian President Vladimir Putin had valid grounds for invading Ukraine, America's ally.




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Entire generation in Gaza would lose education if UNRWA collapses: UN

UNITED NATIONS — An entire generation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would "be denied the right to education" if the United Nations Palestinian relief agency UNRWA collapses in the enclave under new Israeli legislation, the head of UNRWA warned on Wednesday (Nov 13). Israel's parliament passed a law last month that will ban UNRWA from operating in the country when it takes effect in late January. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said its implementation "will have catastrophic consequences." "In Gaza, dismantling UNRWA will collapse the United Nations humanitarian response, which relies heavily on the agency's infrastructure," he told a UN General Assembly committee. "Glaringly absent from discussions about Gaza without UNRWA, is education." "In the absence of a capable public administration or state, only UNRWA can deliver education to more than 660,000 girls and boys across Gaza. In the absence of UNRWA, an entire generation will be denied the right to education," he said, warning that this would sow "the seeds for marginalisation and extremism."




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King Charles celebrates 76th birthday by opening food hubs

LONDON — UK's King Charles will celebrate his 76th birthday on Thursday (Nov 14) by opening two food distribution hubs which are part of his project designed to cut waste and support charities that help those who are hungry. Last year, the king, an outspoken campaigner on environmental issues and supporter of a sustainable economy, launched the 'Coronation Food Project', his mission to 'bridge the gap between food waste and food need'. On Thursday, the monarch will open the initiative's first two food hubs — distribution centres which are designed to save and circulate tonnes of surplus food. He will visit one of the hubs in south London which will host a 'surplus food festival' making meals created from food which would have gone to waste, as well as virtually opening the other site in northern England. Their aim is to make it easier for food charities such as FareShare and the Felix Project to provide support for those in need, Buckingham palace said. It said since the launch of the scheme, the project had helped save an additional 940 tonnes of surplus food which was to the equivalent of more than 2.2 million meal portions.




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European powers pushing for resolution against Iran at IAEA, diplomats say

PARIS/VIENNA — European powers are pushing for a new resolution against Iran by the United Nations atomic watchdog's board next week to pressure Tehran over its poor co-operation, as the world awaits the return of US President-elect Donald Trump, diplomats say. Such resolutions risk further diplomatic tension with Iran. It has retaliated to previous ones and other criticism at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation Board of Governors by stepping up its nuclear activities and barring top IAEA inspectors, heightening Western concerns about its aims. The resolution would task the IAEA with issuing a so-called "comprehensive report" on Iran's nuclear activities in addition to its regular quarterly ones, which would describe in more detail and put further focus on problem areas like Iran's continued failure to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites.




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Church of England faces pressure over abuse scandal after Archbishop quits

LONDON — The Church of England faced pressure on Wednesday (Nov 13) to ensure people are held to account for systematically covering up allegations of abuse, one day after the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned over a church abuse scandal. Justin Welby quit on Tuesday as spiritual leader of the global Anglican Church, saying he had failed to ensure a proper investigation into allegations of abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps decades ago. Welby resigned after coming under pressure over a report that found failings in the handling of the case of John Smyth, a barrister who abused at least 115 children and young men before his death. The report has increased pressure on others to be held accountable for safeguarding failures. "We... know that some people pretty systematically covered this up, and that those people do need to be brought to account," Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the second-most senior bishop in the Church of England, told BBC Radio. Cottrell said there were lessons to be learned from the review, but that he was not referring to bishops.




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Israel wants freedom to strike Lebanon even after ceasefire, France says

PARIS — Israeli officials are insisting on maintaining a capacity to strike Lebanon at any moment as part of conditions to secure a ceasefire with Iran-backed Hezbollah, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday (Nov 13). Speaking to a parliamentary hearing after holding talks in Israel last week in Jerusalem, Jean-Noel Barrot said it was a condition increasingly voiced among Israeli officials. "Today we hear in Israel voices calling for it to keep a capacity to strike at any moment or even enter Lebanon, as is the case with its neighbour Syria," said Barrot, who held talks with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and new Defence Minister Israel Katz last week. "That is not compatible with the sovereignty of a strong country," Barrot said, referring to broader efforts to help strengthen Lebanon's governance. Several diplomats said that it would be all but impossible to get Hezbollah or Lebanon to accept any proposal that included this demand.




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Biden and Xi to meet in Peru, US officials say

WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden will meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for likely the final time on Saturday (Nov 16), senior administration officials said, as Beijing prepares for a potentially more confrontational period with Washington under Donald Trump. The two leaders are expected to hold talks spanning a range of global hot spots, including heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. He did not confirm the date of the meeting. It will be Biden and Xi's first known interaction since an April phone call. The two leaders have tried to keep tensions at bay over issues ranging from Taiwan to the South China Sea and Russia, and American demands for more Chinese help to stem the flow of the ingredients for fentanyl, the leading cause of US drug overdoses. Biden will raise concerns over a Chinese-linked group that recently hacked into private telecommunications of prominent US officials, Sullivan said.




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Suspected bomber dead after trying to enter Brazil's top court ahead of G20

BRASILIA — A man killed himself with a bomb outside Brazil’s Supreme Court after trying to enter the building on Wednesday (Nov 13), officials said, stirring security concerns before the country hosts global leaders from the Group of 20 major economies. The blasts come five days before the G20 heads of state meet in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a state visit to the capital Brasilia by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The first of two explosions went off on Wednesday evening in a parking lot near the court building and a second blast came seconds later in front of the court, where the man’s body was found. Federal District Vice Governor Celina Leao said preliminary information suggested the man had killed himself with explosives after trying to enter the Supreme Court. She said he owned a nearby car in which another explosion blew open the trunk. Leao said she hoped it was the crime of a “lone wolf,” but she could not be sure. Police said they had not made a final identification of the dead man as they were confronting the risk of additional explosives on the body.




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Parliament votes in favour of amended motion on PSP's call for hawker reforms

Parliament voted in favour of an amended version of a motion put forth by Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MPs Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa on Wednesday (Nov 13) after a debate that lasted five-and-a-half hours. This motion called for the Government to "review its policies relating to hawkers and the management of hawker centres to provide better support for hawkers to sustain and grow Singapore hawker culture, so that Singaporeans can continue to enjoy good and affordable hawker food". During his speech, Leong highlighted that high operational costs, harsh working conditions, and the expectation to provide cheap food are pressing issues faced by hawkers here. The PSP secretary-general then proposed that social enterprise hawker centres be phased out as contracts expire, replacing them with centralised management under a new government agency called Hawker Singapore. This new agency would oversee the management of all hawker centres in Singapore and the promotion of hawker culture domestically and internationally, working together with other relevant agencies, he added.




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'How is this a liveable condition?' Tenants leave home filled with mould and dirt, horrifying agent

A property agent was shocked to discover a leased home in a filthy condition, left behind by tenants who moved out several months earlier, according to a TikTok video uploaded by user HomesWithHaziq on Saturday (Nov 9). "For my future landlords, beware," Haziq wrote in the video description. Introducing the video, he also stated: "If you're planning to rent out your whole unit, watch this video first." According to Haziq, the home had been tenanted out for less than two years to a group of foreigners who had little interaction with one another, keeping to their own rooms. The location of the property was not disclosed, but Haziq shared with AsiaOne that it is located in the west. Starting with the living room, things appear to be clean at first glance - if a little cluttered - but Haziq soon points out in the video visible spots of black dirt hidden behind the couch. "The condition of the house will speak for itself," he added. The first toilet certainly proved his point - the toilet seat was yellowed, with the bottom of the bowl stained black.




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Using phone? Jaywalker hit and sent flying by taxi in Orchard

A woman was sent flying after she was hit by a car on Wednesday (Nov 13) morning. The incident occurred at the junction of Orchard Road and Handy Road. In a video posted to the SG Kaypoh Facebook group, the woman is seen crossing the road while the traffic light was not in her favour.   She appears to be looking down at her phone. The driver involved in the accident did not notice her till it was too late and collided with her head-on. In the video, the woman is sent flying and lands several metres in front of the car upon impact. She manages to sit up after landing, and looks stunned from the impact.   The driver and his passenger also rush out of the vehicle to assist.  Speaking to AsiaOne, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said that the female pedestrian was conveyed conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. When contacted, the police said they were alerted to an accident involving a taxi and a pedestrian at the junction of Orchard Road and Handy Road on Nov 13 at about 3.15am.




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'Very stressful but thankful': Zhang Shuifa talks about returning to showbiz

When former TV actor Zhang Shuifa appeared in a sales livestream with some local celebs in July, it sparked nostalgia among netizens who hadn't seen him on screens for years. The 57-year-old's appearance then led to his gradual return to showbiz. Besides turning up in the occasional sales livestreams, the Malaysian is also currently filming local director Jack Neo's upcoming movie I Want To Be Boss, which is expected to be released during Chinese New Year next year. In an Instagram Reel today (Nov 14), Shuifa, who debuted in 1988 with Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC, now Mediacorp), reminisced about the time he filmed a drama with local actor Collin Chee. "I remembered it was over 30 years ago, though I can't remember the name of the drama now," he said. Collin, 57, shared that it was his first drama in 1993.




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Indonesian president says he will safeguard sovereignty in South China Sea

JAKARTA — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said he would "always safeguard our sovereignty" when asked about the issue of the South China Sea, adding partnerships are better than conflicts and that "we respect all powers". Prabowo's comments, made while he was in Washington on Wednesday (Nov 13), came after his foreign ministry stressed that Indonesia does not recognise China's claims over the South China Sea despite signing a maritime deal with Beijing last weekend. Beijing has long clashed with Southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea, which it claims almost in its entirety, based on a "nine-dash line" on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of several countries. "We respect all powers, but we will always safeguard our sovereignty. But I choose to always find possibilities of a partnership," said Prabowo, who has repeatedly said he will pursue a non-aligned foreign policy. "Partnerships are better than conflicts," he told reporters.